Operating railway-switches.



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' A. YUNGIBLOD.A OPERATING RAILWAY SWITGHES..l

(Application filed Sept'. 14, 1900.)

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(No Model.)

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, A. YUNGBLD.

OPERATING RAILWAY SWITCHES.

(Application led Sept. 14, 1900,)

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(No Model.)

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A TTOHNE YS v UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

AMOS YOUNGBLOOD, OF NORTH AUGSTA, SOUTH CAROLINA.

o PERATING RAiLWAY-'SWITCH Es.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,591, dated April 15, 192. Application filed September 14, 1900- Serial No. 30,015. (No model.)

To all wwm/ t may concern:

Be it known that I, AMes YoUNGBLooD, a citizen of the United States, residing at North Augusta, in the county of Aiken. and State of South Carolina, have made certain new and useful Improvements in Operating Railway- Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention is an improvement in railwayswit'ches, and particularly in that class of such devices which are arranged for operation automatically by projections on the rollingstock; and the present invention consists in certain novel constructions and combinations of parts, as will be hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure lis a side view, partly in section, of a locomotive provided with my improvements and operating on a track constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional View on about line 2 2 of Fig. l. Fig. 3 is a top plan view of a switch embodying my invention. Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view on about linee Atof Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a detail section on about line 5 5 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a detail vertical section on about line 6 6 of Fig. Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view illustrating two switches in connection with the main rail. Fig. 8 is a detail perspective view of a portion of the switch-operating devices on the locomotive. Fig. 9 is a detail sectional view on about line 9 9 of Fig. 8. Fig. 10 is a detail front elevation, partlyin section, of the operating devices on the locomotive, and Fig. ll is a top plan view of said devices. Fig. l2 is a detail sectional plan view illustrating the connection between the switch-bar and the operating-frames.

The switch is arranged for operation by a projection on the rolling-stock and includes the movable switch-points A, which may be supported in Vthe usual manner vand are arranged relatively to` the main line B as is usual in switches. These switch-points A are movable to open the switches or to close the same, as is well known, and this movement is effected by the operation lof the switch-bar C through the means presently described. This switch-bar lC is connected with the switchpoints A and has connected with it an operating-rod D, which extends through a'lockcase E and is notched at D' for engagement by the lug or ward F of the lever F, which has a wheel F2 or similar device by which it may be operated. This switch-lever F rests at its lower end upon aspring G, which operates to press the lever upward when its ward F is in line with the keyhole-slot'E in the casing E to set the said Ward out of position for engagement with the switch-bar D, except when it is desired to positively operate the said switchbar by the switch-lever. When it is desired to operate the switch-bar, it is only necessary to depress the spring G by pressure of the shaft F in such manner as to permit the Ward F to pass below the top case E, when the shaft may be turned to operate the switch-bar as maybe desired. By this construction I avoid any operation of the switch bythe movement of the shaft F by reason of the jarring of train over the rail, and thus avoid any operation of the switch-points by the movement of the shaft except when so desired. For operating the switch-points from the rollingstock I provide within the track operatingframes H H, which are connected at their adjacent ends with the switch-bar and are pivoted at their opposite ends at H', as best shown in Fig. 3. These frames H are provided at one edge with an inclined side H2 for engagement by the projection on the rollingstock, so such projection may be adjusted to operate upon the said inclined side to close the switch or to open the same, asmay be desired. I find it desirable to connect the adjacent ends of the operating-frames H yieldingly with the switch-bar O to compensate for the lateral movements of the rolling-stock on the track and also to relieve thejar incident to the operation of the switch by trains moving at a comparatively high rate of speed. This is preferably accomplished by providing the switch-bar O with an upwardly-projecting boss O', which has a head Ca at its upper end and has its shank C3 arranged to operate in slots H3, formed in the swinging ends of the frames H and made wider than the shank O3, so the frames H have a limited lateral movement independently of the switch bar C. This independent lateral movement is controlled in a measure by springs, which are preferably in the form of spring bars or rods I, secured at one end to loo the bosses C and at their other ends at I to the frames H, so there is permitted a limited independent movement of the frames II and the bars C, as will be understood from the drawings. By this construction I avoid any injury to the track or rolling-stock by reason of the sudden jars or shock in the operation of the device and also render the operation of the device smoother and easier, whether such operation be by hand or automatically through the devices upon the rolling-stock.

It will be noticed that as the two frames H H are connected with the switch-bar it is de sii-able to connect them yieldingly, as described, as by so doing the movement of one of the frames by the positive operation of the adjacent frame is effected without any sudden jar or shock. These frames H are formed with the inclined flange H2 for engagement by the projection on the rolling-stock and with the opposite relatively straight flange H3, and it will also be noticed from Fig. '7 of the drawings that when the projection on the rolling-stock is adjusted to open one switch into a siding the same adjustment of the operatin g projection operates to adj ust the other switch, or that at the other end of the siding, to open it to permit the passage of the train back again onto the main line. It will be noticed especially from Figs. l and 2 that the flanges H2 of the switch-operating frames are higher than the rails B of the main line, so the projection .I of the rolling-stock can pass readily over the main rails and will properly engage with the switch-operating frame. Preferably the projection J is in the form of a roller and is supported on the locomotive, as shown, and arranged to be shifted laterally to properly engage the operating-frames to adjust the switch as may be desired. As shown, the roller J is journaled at the lower end of a carrier K, which is in the form of a bar and which is shiftable laterally in a frame L upon rods M, which extend from side to side of the said frame. The carrier K is further guided by means of a rod K', which slides in bearings in the frame L, as shown, and I provide the said carrierK at its lower end with a laterally-extending bar or portion N, which slides in the frames L and is provided with a series of three holes or sockets N, N2, and N3. These sockets are engaged by a point on the lower end of the detent O, which is pivoted at O to the frame L, has its lower end provided with a point O2 to engage in the holes N', N2, and N3, and has its upper end connected by the rod P or other suitable connection with the operating devices presently described. This detent O operates to secure the carrier K in its central neutral position or in the position to which it may be adjusted at either side. This lateral adjustment of the carrier K is eected by means of a bell-crank lever Q, which is pivoted at Q to the carrier-bar K, fulcrums at Q2, and is provided with an arm Q3, which is connected by a rod Q4 with the lever R, by

which it is operated. This lever R is pivoted at R and may be operated to set the carrier to either side or to the center of its frame, as may be desired. The lever S for operating the detent O through the rod P is pivoted at S to the lever R in such manner that when the said lever S is adjusted to release the detent the connection at S2 of the said lever S and its rod P will coincide with the pivot R of the lever R, so the operations of the said lever R to adjust the carrier K laterally as maybe desired Will not affect the position of the detent, which is released Whenever the handles of the levers S and R are brought together. The connection of the rod P With the detent O is preferably yieldingly elfected by means of a spring P', as shown in the drawings. In the'operation of this construction it is manifest the lever S can be first operated to release the detent O, when the lever R can be operated to adjust the carrier K from side to side, as desired, and when the carrier has been adjusted to the desired position the detent maybe released to secure the carrier in such position.

It will be noticed that the switch-bar D is arranged vertically edgewise between the casing E and the switch-points and is horizontal in said casing E, and is provided in its horizontal portion with a notch for engagement by the ward F/ and with locking-notches for engagement by the bolt e, the switch-bar springing out of engagement with the bolt e when such bar is positively operated by the shaft F, but being held by the spring of the bar D in engagement with said bolt e against accidental displacement.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The combination substantially as described ofthe switch-points, the switch-bar connecting the same, the operating-frame having a yielding connection with the switchbar and provided with an inclined flange for engagement by the operating project-ion on the rolling-stock, said operating projection being provided with a carrier, a frame in which said carrier is movable laterally, a detent-lever for locking the carrier in its lateral adjustments, an operating-lever arranged to adjust the carrier laterally, and a lever arranged to release the detent and located relatively to the lever for operating the carrier, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. In an apparatus substantially as described, the combination of the operating projection, the carrier therefor, aframe in which the said carrier is movable laterally, a detentlever by which to lock the carrier in its diiferent adjustments, a rod or connection leading from said detent, an operating device connecting with the rod or connection, and the lever for adjusting the carrier laterally, the point of connection between the rod or connection for operating the detent and its operating device, boing arranged to coincide IOO IIO

IZO

with'the pivot-point of the lever for adjusting the carrier in the released position of the detent, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the metal points, the spring switch-bar connected therewith and notched for engagement by the locking-bolt,

frame in-which said carrier is adjustable lat` erally, the pivoted lever and intermediate devices whereby it adjusts the carrier laterally, the detent for securing the carrierin its differentV adjustments, the `lever for operating said detent, a connection betweensaid lever and the detent, and the lever. for adjusting the carrier laterally, the detent-releasing'lever` being pivoted to the carrier-adjusting leverand having its connection with the rod or connection leading to the detent. arranged to coincide with the pivot of the carrier-'adj usting lever when -the.detent'isreleased, substantiallyas'setfforth. f

5. In a railway-switch the combination with the switchpoints and the switch-bar, of the movable frame for operating said switch-bar having means whereby it may be operated by a projection onthe rolling-stock, said operating-frame being engagedat one end with the switch-bar and being movable'to alimited eX` tent at such end independently of the switchbar, and aspring for resisting such independent movement, substantially Vas set forth.VA

6. In a railway-switch the combination of the switch-points, the switch-bar connecting the same and having an upwardly-'projecting boss, the operating-frame having at one end a notch or recess fitting-over said boss and made wider than the same whereby to'permit a limited independent movement of the said boss, and a spring operating. toV arrest such movement, substantially-as set forth.

7. In a railway-switch, the combination of the switch-points and the switch-bar having a boss, the operating-frame having a slot or recess in which said bossoperates and which is wider than the said boss .wherebyto permit an independent movement of theparts, and a spring operating between said boss and the frame whereby to cushion the operation of the parts, substantially as set forth.

8. The combinationin arailway-switch, of

Vthe points, the switch-bar connecting the same and having a boss, the operating-frame having a slot or recess for receiving said boss and made wider than the same, and a spring rod or bar secured at one end to the boss and at its other end to the operating-frame, substantially as set forth.

9. In a railway-switch the combination with the switch-points and the switch-bar, of the opposite operating-frames and spring devices by which the adjacent ends-of the operatingframes are yieldingly connected with the switch-bar, substantially as set forth.

lO. In a railway-switch, the combination with the switch-points and the switch-bar, of the operating-frames pivoted at their outer endsl and connected.l at their adjacent ends withthe switch-bar and having attheir opposite edges ianges spaced apart for the operation between them of the projection of the rolling-stock'substantially as set forth.

ll. In a railway-switch substantially as described, the combination of the switch-points, a switch-operating bar in connection therewith,` a casing through which said switch-operating'bar ispassed, said casing having a slot forthe'passage ofthe ward of the operating-lever, the operating lever or shafthaving a ward arranged to be passed lthrough said' slot and adapted toengage the switch-operating bar, and a spring larranged to eXert'an upward tendency upon thesaid lever and shaft whereby to press the same into position keyhole-slot in positiony to form a seat for the i lower end of the operating-lever, whereby it will exert an upward tendency 'upon said shaft orlever, substantially as set forth.

. AMos YoUNGRLooD.`

Witnesses:

ALBERT G. SHERMAN, EDWARD EAGAN;

lIoo 

